The sun was nearly at its peak in the near cloudless sky when the ceremonies commenced. The Queen of the Tigwood Forest was conveyed to the quickly constructed dais. Her feet were never permitted to touch the ground as servants saw to it that she stepped from her carrier to the steps leading up to the dais. Comfortably seated on the best chair to be found in the remains of Sir Grinning's sacked castle, the Queen observed a dignified silence as the soldiers of her Army of Tigwood Forest and the irregulars from the surrounding communities conducted a colorful Pass In Review.
Crispin opted to march with the irregulars, as did his comrades Cleese and Clep, and the others of the area who unified to confront Grinning. The mouse brothers of the monastery did not march. Instead, the brothers stood at the foot of the dais in silence, while the Abbot sat behind the Queen observing the parade's progress.
Knights led off the parade. In the foremost ranks of the knights, side by side, rode Sir Scurry and Sir Bushtail on their newly acquired warhares. The Queen noted Sir Bushtail's salute in particular and acknowledged the salute of Sir Scurry, whom she knew by reputation only. Following the knights came the massed formations of otters, mice, moles and other creatures of Tigwood Forest. Then came the irregulars.
The mouse maid had been invited to stand in the vicinity of the Queen. Many questions had been asked of mouse, about bravery, brave deeds and those who had performed them. Crispin's name had been mentioned, but not any of the deeds of mouse, herself. This was something mouse would not do.
"Which one is he?" the Queen had asked. "Which one is Cleese and which one is Crispin?" Mouse complied with the Queen's request noting the dress and location of each of these mice. "Ahhhh," said the Queen. "I see them now. My, they are young indeed. So admirably brave." The Queen watched both mice intently as they passed by. Cleese and Crispin both became slightly uncomfortable, for though they were supposed to keep their eyes properly "caged", they could not resist trying to sneak a glance at the Queen. To their surprise, she was staring directly at them as if interested in them alone. Hence, both marching mice were made uncomfortable with the attention they saw directed their way.
The parade concluded with the passage of the irregulars. The Queen rose to speak to them all.
"Soldiers and friends of the Tigwood Forest. I give you thanks for what you have accomplished and praise you for the victory you have achieved. The terror of Sir Grinning is ended. Sir Bushtail and Sir Scurry, I ask that you step forward."
The two knights directed their warhares to leave the knights' formation and approach the dais. In front of the dais, they lowered their ceremonial lances in salute and bowed their heads respectfully. The Queen resumed her speech.
"Your Queen commends you both and the late Sir Chattering for your bravery and your victory. Your names will be recorded in the great History of the Tigwood Forest for all who shall follow to remember you by and your deeds. I bestow upon both of you, membership in the Ancient Order of the Evergreen Leaf, and name you champions of the Kingdom of the Tigwood Forest." The Queen paused a moment and looked towards those standing before her. "A cheer for these two brave knights!" The otters, mice, and others all joined in raising a very boisterous cheer for Sir Bushtail and Sir Scurry.
"And now, I command the mice known as Cleese and Crispin to step forward." Nervously, Cleese and Crispin left their formation to stand before the Queen.
"I presume you are Cleese and you are Crispin," began the Queen nodding to each with the mention of their names.
"Uhh... Yes, Your Majesty," said Cleese, a slight quivering noticeable in his voice. "Yes, yo... your Majesty," stuttered Crispin.
"Cleese, it has been brought to my attention that your leadership in the dungeons of the castle are in a great way the reason Sir Bushtail, the Queen's Champion, was free to engage Sir Grinning." Cleese turned red under the fur covering his muzzle. "Well, Your Majesty, really, I..."
"Yes, I know there were others, Cleese. They will be recognized. But your actions were especially noteworthy, as were the actions of the mouse standing at your side, Crispin. You are well, young Crispin?"
"Ma... Ma... Mending, Your Majesty, thank you," said Crispin.
"Good. Mend quickly. There is a task ahead of you." Cleese and Crispin looked at each other. A task? What could that task be? The Queen smiled.
"My good mice, Cleese and Crispin. If you so choose, you shall be entered into training for knighthood. The Army of Tigwood Forest welcomes knights such as you, when you are trained and ready. Do you accept?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," both said at once. They were then directed to return to their formation amidst cheers from their comrades and the collected soldiers of the Queen.
"One last recognition," announced the Queen. Silence fell upon the host once more. "There is one who deserves very special recognition. One whose timely intercession ensured the victory we celebrate today. I call upon mouse, Squire to Sir Scurry, to stand before us now and be honored."
Mouse nearly fainted from surprise. The scene before her swirled suddenly as she took somewhat halting steps towards the place pointed to by the Queen. The Queen's words were coming to her as if emanating from a fog. Something was being said about her organizing the irregulars, about her finding Sir Scurry, about her uncovering the treacherous trick planned by Grinning, about her caregiving to the injured and about her attention given to a fitting resting place for the fallen knight, the heroic Sir Chattering.
Finally, the fog in her tumultuous mind lifted just as she heard the Queen say, "And how shall we reward you, Squire mouse?" The mouse maid was stricken. Reward? For me? Why... I haven't a thought or an idea. "Your Majesty, I... I don't know what to say..." And indeed she didn't in that moment; but something finally did occur to her even as the Queen stood patiently waiting for the mousemaid's response.
"My Queen, if it might be possible, this is what I would be happiest to receive as a reward..."
LANCER
One word deserves another.
[This message has been edited by Lancer (edited 04-15-2002 @ 09:00 PM).]